Sensing phone apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

Sensors measuring body conditions forward their data to a concentration point which transmits to a cellular phone through a wireless communication. The cellular phone incorporates a program which formats the data as a multimedia call. Information regarding status is transmitted using session initiated protocol or packet-based multimedia communications. The a second user&#39;s cellular phone is connected to a series of acupuncture needles connected to a cellular phone distributor through a network of thin electrical wires, which may be integrated into a wearable body item such as a glove, body shirt, full body garment, mask or the like. A program interprets the communication from the sending user and translates it into positive or negative stimuli.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to wireless communication between and among users. More particularly, the present invention relates to sensing physical and/or mental conditions of users and transmitting the sensed conditions to another connected user to provide electrical stimuli and/or sensations.

BACKGROUND

[0002] A number of applications have been developed in the cellular phone field to provide additional activities and services. As one example, a technique has been developed to provide a spectral analysis of a user's voice to estimate a stress level, which information is asked of the user. However, to date, the presentation of a feeling has merely been displayed and not sensed by another user.

SUMMARY

[0003] Sensors measure bodily conditions and convert them to a measurable signal. The signals are concentrated at a transmitter which wirelessly communicates with a handset. A program in the handset formats the data for transmission to a handset of another connected user. A program in the handset of the connected user converts the transmitted data and transfers the data to stimulation devices providing stimuli sensing the feelings of the sending subscriber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] The invention will be understood upon a consideration of the accompanying specification and drawings wherein like elements are designated by like numerals, and wherein:

[0005]FIG. 1 shows an arrangement embodying the principles of the present invention in which conditions are sensed and transmitted.

[0006]FIG. 2 shows a portion of a wearable item for respectively receiving/emitting physical/electrical stimuli.

[0007]FIG. 3 shows an arrangement embodying the principles of the present invention in which the sensations detected, for example in FIG. 1, are received and converted into stimuli sensed by the receiving subscriber.

[0008]FIGS. 4 and 5 shows the devices employed for respectively collecting/transmitting and receiving/converting functions performed by the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 3.

[0009]FIGS. 6 and 7 respectively show routines performed at the calling and called subscriber locations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010]FIG. 1 shows apparatus 10 of the present invention arranged on the body of an individual 12 and including cellular handset 14, a plurality of sensors 16 electrically coupled by wires 18 to a concentrator/transmitter 20 which may also include an earpiece and which is held upon the head of the user 12 by the headpiece 22.

[0011] The unit 20 collects/concentrates the signals received from the various sensors which may be located at any appropriate locations on the body, the locations on the head, chest and arm shown in FIG. 1 being merely exemplary.

[0012] The concentrator/transmitter 20 temporarily stores and then wirelessly transmits the data to handset 14, for example, using conventional equipment for wireless transmission. The signals received by handset 14 are formatted and transmitted as part of a multimedia communication according to the routine in FIG. 3.

[0013] User 12 incorporates the status information as part of the multimedia call. Information about status is sent using session initiated protocol (SIP) or H-323 (a standard for packet-based multimedia communications), for example. The detected signals are converted from analog to digital either in the sensor (item 16) or the concentrator (item 20).

[0014] The sensors 16 may be a variety of different sensing devices such as EKG/ECA wave sensors, tension elements similar to those used in lie detector tests, CO2 sensors, etc.

[0015] Handset 14 contains a program for formatting the data for transmission. One example is shown in FIG. 5. The handset 14 may include a built-in antenna or an extendable antenna such as the antenna 14 a for transmission to a remote subscriber.

[0016] Data is sent as a set of packets transmitted in a manner similar to those employed in conventional wireless voice transmission.

[0017] The cell phone 22 of the second user may, for example, be connected to a series of acupuncture needles, for example, connected to a network of thin electrical wires. A program implemented in Java or in another language interprets the signals from the user 12 of FIG. 1 and translates them into positive or negative stimuli, as shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 shows one example of a routine performed at the called subscriber location. The sensors shown in FIG. 1 may be arranged in a wearable item such as a glove, body shirt, length stocking or full body suit, which items are preferably worn tight to the body assure good electrical contact between the body and the sensors mounted within the wearable item. The wearable item shown as a portion of a fabric F in FIG. 2 has a network of wires W integrated into the wearable item and terminated at various locations in a stimulator tip to provide stimuli at a given location on the body of the wearer. The fabric portion may also be used to receive and convey stimuli from a sending user to a receiving user. The stimuli may be electrical or may be converted from an electric type stimuli through a converter such as an electromechanical converter converting the electrical signal to mechanical vibration, an electromechanical converter converting the electric signal to a temperature condition, an electrochemical converter to convert an electric signal to an aroma, etc.

[0018] The communications from the sender 12 may also be directed to a base station which may retransmit the communication to subscribers simultaneously with receipt or after a delay with the received communication being stored indefinitely.

[0019] The apparatus 30, shown in FIG. 4, is employed for transmission. The sensed data is input to logic circuit 32. Parametric circuit 34 and memory 36 support logic circuit 32 in preparing data transmitted by the output 32 a of logic circuit to the “called” party. See the routine shown in FIG. 6.

[0020] The apparatus 40 shown in FIG. 5 is employed for reception. The sensed data is input to logic circuit 42. Parametric circuit 44 and memory 46 support logic circuit 42 in preparing received data to be output at 42 a of logic circuit 42. The output 42 a couples the signals to the appropriate stimuli (see FIG. 2) through the distributor. See the routine shown in FIG. 7. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for transmitting mental and physical conditions employing wireless communication, comprising: a) sensing conditions of a person through a plurality of sensors; b) gathering, preprocessing and encoding/trans-coding the sensed conditions data at a collection point; c) transmission in-band or out-of-band with data, or in-band or out-of-band with control to at least one remote device.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) includes sensing conditions employing mechanical sensors.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) includes sensing conditions employing electronic sensors.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) includes sensing conditions employing electromechanical sensors.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) includes sensing conditions employing chemical sensors.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) includes sensing conditions employing electrochemical sensors.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) includes sensing conditions employing physiological sensors.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein step (c) includes transmission to a remote device.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein step (c) includes transmission to a base station for subsequent retransmission.
 10. A method of providing stimuli capable of being physically sensed by a person through a wireless communication, comprising: a) transmission in-band or out-of-band with data, or in-band or out-of-band with control to a receiving device; b) preprocessing and trans-coding of data for use as actuator inputs; c) coupling the actuator inputs to stimuli inducing members enabling the person receiving the communication to experienced the transmitted sensations.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein step a) includes transmission to a receiving device through a base station.
 12. The method of claim 10 wherein step c) includes coupling the actuator input to a stimuli element receiving an associated one of the inputs and converting this input into a physical sensation.
 13. The method of claim 12 further comprising providing the stimuli in an wearable item worn by a user associated with the receiving device.
 14. Apparatus for transmitting mental and physical conditions employing wireless communication, comprising: means for sensing conditions of person through a plurality of sensors; means for gathering, preprocessing and encoding/trans-coding the sensed conditions at a collection point; and means for transmitting in-band or out-of-band with data, or in-band or out-of-band with control to at least one remote device.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said sensors are mechanical sensors.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said sensors are electronic sensors.
 17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said sensors are electromechanical sensors.
 18. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said sensors are chemical sensors.
 19. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said sensors are electrochemical sensors.
 20. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said sensors are physiological sensors.
 21. The apparatus of claim 14 further includes a base station receiving said transmission for subsequent retransmission.
 22. An apparatus for providing stimuli capable of being physically sensed by a person through a wireless communication, comprising: means for transmitting in-band or out-of-band with data representing said stimuli or in-band or out-of-band with control to a receiving device; means for preprocessing and trans-coding of said data for use as actuator inputs; and means for coupling the actuator inputs to stimuli inducing members enabling a person receiving the communication to experience the transmitted sensations.
 23. The apparatus of claim 22 including a base station receiving said transmission for retransmission to the receiving device.
 24. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said coupling means includes means for coupling the actuator inputs to a stimuli element receiving an associated one of the inputs and converting the associated input into a physical sensation.
 25. The apparatus of claim 24 further comprising providing the stimuli in an wearable item worn by a user associated with the receiving device.
 26. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said wearable item is a glove, worn by a user associated with the receiving device.
 27. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said wearable item is a shirt worn by a user associated with the receiving device.
 28. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said wearable item is a stocking worn by a user associated with the receiving device.
 29. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said wearable item are pants worn by a user associated with the receiving device.
 30. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said wearable item a sleeve worn by a user associated with the receiving device. 